Describing Chidambaram’s remark as his personal view, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath said, “No question of a single person puncturing party’s stand. Congress’ stand is clear. Today what the country is confronted with is an assault on harmony,” he said.

“That is Chidambaram’s own view,” the former Parliamentary Affairs Minister said while replying to a query.

Chidambaram had on Saturday said the decision of the Rajiv Gandhi government to ban Rushdie’s book ‘The Satanic Verses’ was wrong.

“I have no hesitation in saying that the ban on Salman Rushdie’s book was wrong,” Chidambaram had said at the Times LitFest here.

However, no official details were immediately available on this apparently unscheduled chat between the two leaders.

This is the first meeting between the two leaders after Ufa in Russia on June 10, where they held bilateral talks on the sidelines of multilateral conferences, and decided on number of steps to take forward the relationship.

Paris, Nov 29 (PTI) On the eve of the crucial climate change summit, India today said the developed world must walk the talk and pledged to strive for a balanced, just and equitable agreement to limit global warming.

As nearly 150 world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi gather to try to craft a long-term deal to limit carbon emissions, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the principle of equity must encompass all aspects of the 2015 climate agreement.

Javadekar said India is approaching the conference with a positive mindset that it is not thinking in terms of opposing anything while hammering out practical solutions to reduce global warming.

India will not be opposing but it will be proposing real changes needed to ensure there is balanced growth and balanced environment, he said, adding, there should be a durable agreement and a need to trust each other.

The goal of the summit that is tasked with reaching the first truly universal climate pact is to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius over pre-Industrial Revolution levels by curbing fossil fuel emissions.

The minister also made a strong case for developed countries to provide carbon space to developing countries.

Stating that developed world is using two-third of carbon space available, Javadekar said providing carbon space to developing countries is in favour of earth, developing countries and developed world itself.

Developed world should walk the talk, he said.

The environment minister said every climate action has a cost and the world must think as to who would pay the cost for new technologies.

He said measues to de-carbonize or being carbon neutral depends on availability of technology. No one wants carbon footprints, he added.

Javadekar also described as unfair, unfortunate and untrue, US Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent concerns over India’s pace of climate change action.

Kerry in an interview with a leading international business daily had recently warned that India could be a “challenge” at Paris talks.

“We ve got a lot of focus on India right now to try to bring them along. India has been more cautious, a little more restrained in its embrace of this new paradigm, and it s a challenge,” he was quoted as saying.

Ahead of the summit, more than 175 countries including India have tabled pledges (known as intended nationally determined contributions, or INDCs) to cut their carbon emissions which, if enacted, would be enough to limit global warming to 2.7 degrees C. But the United Nations has pledged to limit climate change to 2 degrees C and would much prefer it to be 1.5 degrees C.

Washington, Nov 30 (PTI) US President Barack Obama will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in Paris where the two leaders would review progress in bilateral relationship and discussion on regional and global issues including terrorism.

The two leaders are expected to meet at 2.45 PM local time Paris on the sidelines of the crucial climate change conference.

Obama and Modi would primarily focus on climate change but will also review progress in bilateral relationship and discussion on regional and global issues including terrorism.

They are likely to make a brief media appearance including remarks from the two leaders, according to President’s schedule released by the White House yesterday.

Obama would also hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping early in the morning.

After Modi came to power in May last year, the two leaders have so far met for a record five times. They last met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September.

Paris meeting is the sixth bilateral meeting between them.

Immediately after the Paris bilateral, the two leaders would be joined by French President Francois Hollande along with other leaders and members of the private sector for Mission Innovation Event, the White House said.

Obama arrived in Paris late last night amidst an unprecedented security, in the aftermath of the terrorist attack early this month.

The first meeting between the two leaders was in Washington in September last year when Obama hosted Modi at the White House. Obama accepted Modi’s invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on January 26 this year in New Delhi. In between, they met twice on the sidelines of other international meetings including G-20.

The Paris climate change conference also known as Conference of Parties (CoP-21) is set to kick off tomorrow in Paris and will go on till December 11.

Paris climate conference will for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aim to achieve a legally binding universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2 C.

The conference is expected to attract close to 50,000 participants including 25,000 official delegates from government, intergovernmental organisations, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society.

Hasimara (West Bengal), Nov 28 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee today said India is firmly committed to peace but is always prepared to deploy its military might to safeguard its sovereignty as he decorated two gallant IAF fighter aircraft squadrons at a strategic border airbase here.

Mukherjee, the supreme commander of the armed forces, presented the President’s Standards to the 22nd and 18th Squadrons of the Indian Air Force operating the strike and combat superior MiG-27 aircraft to secure Indian skies along the eastern theatre during peace times and war.

The Squadrons are based here in Alipurduar district of West Bengal, strategically located right across the India-Bhutan border with the task to keep a vigil over the entire north east border skies of India.

“India’s increasing eminence in the comity of nations draws its strength from the capabilities of our armed forces.

Though we remain firmly committed to peace, we will use all our might to protect the sovereignty of the nation. I am confident that our valiant men and women in uniform will rise to the occasion,” the President said after he accorded the honours to the two strike formations of the IAF.

He lauded the air force by calling it the “cutting edge” of India’s military might and praised its men and women as he said the armed forces, “exemplified by the air warriors who stand before us, reflect our steely resolve to defend our interests.”

The President’s Standards are given to armed forces’ units which render exceptional and dedicated service over a period of time.

Both the units which got the honours today have been doing so since 50 years now.

New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke of the message of non-discrimination and equality as he reached out to journalists at a ‘diwali milan’ at the BJP headquarters here.

Hailing Indian festivals as occasions which give a new inspiration to society, he said “The festival of lights (Deep Parva) is also a part of it. There is no discrimination in it.

It also strengthens the value of equality.”

Speaking about mass connect of festivals including the Kumbh fair, Modi said “In our society, festivals in themselves are a big strength, which give the society a new momentum, energy and enthusiasm.

“A number of stories can be generated if its social and economic aspects are analysed. For instance the gathering on the banks of the Ganges during the Kumb Mela is so huge as if there some small European country there,” he said.

After his brief remarks from the podium, the Prime Minister stepped down to go around freely shaking hands with the assembled journalists, some of whom took selfies with him.

It was a repeat of the scenes like last year when Modi reached out to journalists on a similar occasion. Again he was was literally mobbed by them during the informal interaction.

The Prime Minister said that this year’s diwali milan got delayed due to his busy schedule. “Had it not been done now, one may have had to wait till Christmas.”

BJP Chief Amit Shah wished a great year for the country’s democratic traditions.

Referring to the two-day long debate in Parliament to commemorate the Constitution Day and the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar, Shah said that Parliament has unanimously placed the supremacy of the Constitution above all.

“Our effort will be to take this spirit down the line to people and make even the weakest person in the society aware of the Constitutional rights by next year along with the help of all parties and media,” Shah said.

Valletta (Malta), Nov 27 (PTI) Leaders of 53 countries including India deliberated measures to combat terrorism and how to remove hurdles to seal a climate deal in Paris on the opening day of the Commonwealth Summit here today in this Mediterranean island of Malta.

Amid heavy security, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II opened the three-day-long summit of the bloc, having a geographic spread covering six continents with a total population of over 2.2 billion people.

India, the largest member of the grouping, is being represented by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj while other leaders attending it included Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudea.

Identifying terrorism as a major threat facing the world, Cameron announced setting up of a five-million-pound-fund for the bloc to target extremist groups fuelling the menace and spreading “poisonous ideologies.”

In her inaugural address, Queen Elizabeth elaborated accomplishments of the Commonwealth and particularly delved on initiatives by the grouping in saving the world’s forests.

In his welcome address, Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat said combating terrorism and extremism should be the top most priority of Commonwealth and sought wider discussion among the member countries to deal with the challenge of climate change.

“We live in a time when young people within our Commonwealth are attracted to join terrorist groups. This should be part of our immediate fight,” he said.

Earlier, Cameron said five million pound will be spent to help Commonwealth countries combat the spread of “poisonous ideologies.”

“The Commonwealth has a vital role to play in broadening international efforts to counter extremism. Its civil society and education networks make it particularly well-placed to complement international efforts to build counter narratives to this poisonous extremist ideology,” Cameron said.

“This is the struggle of our generation, but by working together we will defeat this extremism scourge that is a threat to us all.”

Combating terrorism is the major focus of the summit in this Maltese capital which is taking place just two weeks after the grisly terror attack in Paris in which at least 130 people were killed and over 350 were injured. .

New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI) The BJD today batted for a debate on Uniform Civil Code in Parliament, against the backdrop of the Supreme Court asking the government to come up with a view on the contentious issue.

“The Supreme Court has asked the government to take a quick decision on the Uniform Civil Code. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution states that India should strive to have a Uniform Civil Code. The Constitution has enough powers for protection of rights of the minorities and the government should begin a discussion on the issue,” BJD leader B Mahtab said while participating in a debate in Lok Sabha on the Constitution.

Yesterday, Minister for Social Justice Thawarchand Gehlot had made a strong pitch for implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.

The BJD leader also attacked the BJP for disrupting the House and said his party did not advocate such “unconstitutional ways”.

“Everytime we see the House in assembly there are people who jump into the well. Our party is not capable of getting our work done in an unconstitutional way. Is this freedom or the right we have achieved?” Mahtab said.

He said the treasury benches should not consider the Rajya Sabha as a stumble because of the lack of numbers and the core principle is debate and discussion.

Mahtab said a lot was being said on cooperative fedralism but the country should also focus on fiscal federalism.

“There is a need to introduce fiscal federalism, German way of implementing fiscal federalism,” he said.

New Delhi, Nov 26 (PTI) Opposition parties today raised in Lok Sabha the issue of ‘intolerance’, saying the untoward incidents witnessed in the recent past should be condemned as they send out “negative messages” and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the matter.

Participating in a debate on the ‘Commitment to the Constitution’, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay said every incident of intolerance should be condemned and that it should be looked at as to why dignified artistes, including Aamir Khan, are feeling uneasy in their own country.

Few incidents of intolerance are sending “negative messages” and the Prime Minister should rise to the occasion in addressing the issue, he said.

“We should look at why artistes like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, A R Rahman… are feeling uneasy in our own country? Why are they saying so,” he said during the debate being held as part of 125th birth anniversary celebrations of B R Ambedkar.

Wondering why these people are facing such a situation, Bandopadhyay said the issue should be taken up on priority.

His remarks come against the backdrop of various artistes — including cine star Aamir Khan — finding themselves in the eye of a storm over their remarks on intolerance.

“Why sometimes we find incidents of intolerance happening?…. Intolerance from every corner should be condemned,” the TMC member said.

The Prime Minister has spoken against such incidents but he did not do it in the country but abroad, he said, adding when the Prime Minister rises to the occasion, it would give a positive signal to the country. Modi was in the House.

Underlining that India is a tolerant country, Bandyopadhyay said when incidents of intolerance happen, then the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the government.

“We (the House) should firmly, in a united voice, protest against such incidents… We should not hesitate to raise our voice,” the TMC leader said.

BJD’s Tathagata Satpathy said incidents of intolerance should not be tolerated.

“Let’s be totally intolerant towards intolerance (incidents),” he said, adding that just by speaking about the issues would not help address the problems.

“The onus lies on us (the House) to prove that we mean what we speak,” he noted. .